Alaska: Kenai Fjords cruise operators
Jul 16th, 2001, 02:26 PM
#1
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Alaska: Kenai Fjords cruise operators
Wanted to know if folks had a recommendation between Kenai Fjords Tours and Major Marine Tours to access the national park from Seward. I'm told the full-day (6-8 hour) tours are the ones to do to really see the glaciers and wildlife, but wondering if there's a significant difference between the two operators and their vessels. Thanks
Jul 16th, 2001, 03:19 PM
#2
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I was very impressed with Kenai Fjords' six hour tour to the glaciers and back last September. Even the food onboard was decent! The boat was comfortable (I recommend the top deck) and the Captain did a great job of being both boat driver and tour guide.
We saw several orcas, sea otters, Dall porpoises, sea lions, bald eagles, a black bear, mountain goats, Dall sheep, and watched a glacier "calve" into the sea with a gigantic splash. I can't speak for Major Marine but I know our boat was larger than theirs and that made me feel better!
We saw several orcas, sea otters, Dall porpoises, sea lions, bald eagles, a black bear, mountain goats, Dall sheep, and watched a glacier "calve" into the sea with a gigantic splash. I can't speak for Major Marine but I know our boat was larger than theirs and that made me feel better!
Jul 17th, 2001, 01:06 PM
#3
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I'd almost say the same things as Celeste. Kenai Fjords was very, very good. I don't see how it could have been better. We took the 9 hr Northwestern tour. I would take this one again! Otters, Sea Lions, seals, humpback, sheep, eagle, Dall Porpoise, Glaciers were spectacular.
Jul 17th, 2001, 02:22 PM
#4
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We took the 7.5 hour Kenai Natioal Park wildlife cruise last May and saw abundant wildlife.The wildlife included Humpbacks,sea lions,eagles,goats,2 bears and otters.The crew was very professional and careing,the boat was in tip top shape and the captain took pains to always turn the boat so that everyone got a good look at everything.A highlight was when we backed in close to a glacier for viewing we witnessed a huge rock slide tumble down the mountain onto the beach and into the sea just off to the right of the glacier.The captain said that we had witnessed a small earthquake.Now for the negative....before I'd get on to the boat I'd find out just how crowed it was going to be.Our trip was so crowded that there wasn't seats for everyone.Most of the seats are inside and are front and rear faceing booths which don't lend themselves to getting up and moving around unless you are seated on the end.The lack of seating became noticable when they passed out the boxed lunches and numerous people had to eat standing up.Needless to say there were a lot of complaints both to the tour operator and to the shore excursion office on our ship.I would sail again with Kenai Tours but only if the boat wasn't "full". Enjoy !!!
Jul 17th, 2001, 03:38 PM
#5
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I guess it's difficult for posters to compare the two companies because nearly all of us will have been on only one boat.
We took the 7.5 hour Major Marine Tour in May. We liked several things about it - the narrator was a Park Ranger, not the captain, and she was incredibly informative. Of course she worked closely with the captain and the boat was turned, slowed down and stopped at every appropriate time. One thing I liked - we watched the Holgate Glacier in silence, the Park Ranger went round quietly explaining things. We could hear the Kenai Fjords Tours' captain doing his loudspeaker commentary from quite a distance away! The glacier didn't calve while we were watching but you can't blame the boat company for that, they certainly gave us long enough there.
We liked the optional Salmon and Prime Rib Buffet - an extra $12 but a lovely meal, eaten in sheltered waters. You do need to take seasickness pills, as however calm the day, there's inevitably a heavy swell in the open waters. We had one very miserable lady on our boat! You also need to take plenty of warm clothes including hats and gloves if you're going in May and want to spend much time outside.
We saw orcas, humpback whales, a black bear swimming in the water, and all the wildlife the other posters have mentioned, plus lots of birds including the rare Redfaced Cormorants on the Chiswell Islands.
There are reserved seats at tables on the Major Marine boats. When we travelled on about 20th May, the boat was two thirds empty and there was lots of room to move about. As with the previous comment on Kenai Fjords Tours, however, we could see that it would be very cramped and maybe quite difficult to move around if the boat was full. So to sum up, I can thoroughly recommend Major Marine, specially if you go slightly out of season! I guess the season in Alaska is so short that all the boat companies really pack the people in when they can.
Do try and do the full day trip and don't just stick to Resurrection Bay, apart from sea otters and mountain goats we didn't see much wildlife until we got further out.
We took the 7.5 hour Major Marine Tour in May. We liked several things about it - the narrator was a Park Ranger, not the captain, and she was incredibly informative. Of course she worked closely with the captain and the boat was turned, slowed down and stopped at every appropriate time. One thing I liked - we watched the Holgate Glacier in silence, the Park Ranger went round quietly explaining things. We could hear the Kenai Fjords Tours' captain doing his loudspeaker commentary from quite a distance away! The glacier didn't calve while we were watching but you can't blame the boat company for that, they certainly gave us long enough there.
We liked the optional Salmon and Prime Rib Buffet - an extra $12 but a lovely meal, eaten in sheltered waters. You do need to take seasickness pills, as however calm the day, there's inevitably a heavy swell in the open waters. We had one very miserable lady on our boat! You also need to take plenty of warm clothes including hats and gloves if you're going in May and want to spend much time outside.
We saw orcas, humpback whales, a black bear swimming in the water, and all the wildlife the other posters have mentioned, plus lots of birds including the rare Redfaced Cormorants on the Chiswell Islands.
There are reserved seats at tables on the Major Marine boats. When we travelled on about 20th May, the boat was two thirds empty and there was lots of room to move about. As with the previous comment on Kenai Fjords Tours, however, we could see that it would be very cramped and maybe quite difficult to move around if the boat was full. So to sum up, I can thoroughly recommend Major Marine, specially if you go slightly out of season! I guess the season in Alaska is so short that all the boat companies really pack the people in when they can.
Do try and do the full day trip and don't just stick to Resurrection Bay, apart from sea otters and mountain goats we didn't see much wildlife until we got further out.
